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1. T. QUIGLEY. FILING AND INDEXING EQUIPMENT. APPLICATION FILED'SEPT-ZG, 1918.

1,433,846, Patented 00a 31,1922.

2 SHEETS SHEET i- Invenior; cfohn T Qu y y;

Z9 M M %22 9 J. T. QUl-GLEY. FILING AND INDEXING EQUIPMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.26, 19l8.

Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Get. 31, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. QUIGLEY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO COSTMETER COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FILING AND INDEXING EQUIPMENT.

Application filed September 26., 1918. Serial No. 255,829.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JQHNT. QUIGLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Filing and Indexing Equipments, oi which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters. on the drawings representing like parts. i

This invention relates to filing and indexing equipments of the class in which the cards or sheets are arranged in overlapping relationship, so as to present all of their identification-bearing margins to view at one time, and is more particularly concerned with an equipment of this class in which the cards or sheets are removably and adjustably mounted in holders or binding elements.

hiy'invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accon'ipanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope. will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a filing and indexing equipment embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of one of the sheets and sheet-holders Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on an enlarged scale on line 4.-4 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7, are .detail plan sections on an enlarged scale illustrating the opera portions of the sheet-holders,are received.

The latter preferably rest onv oneanother, and the diameter of each is such as to hold the overlapping margins of the sheets in properly spaced relationship. Preferably, the

sheet-holders are cylindrical, so that with the sheets, they may be turned about their ares, while still maintaining definitelyspaced relationship with each. other, and without interference with one another.

Preferably, the sheet-holders are tubular, will be evident from an inspection of Fig. :1, and each is provided with a sheet-receiving slot 12, in which one of the margins of the sheet is received, the width of the slot icing such as to provide sufficient clearance to allow the sheet to be moved lengthwise therein, yet without undue play transversely. Preferably, the slot is beveled or rounded as at 13, to form an entrance having diverging sides, thereby to facilitate the introduction of the sheet.

In equipments of this class, it is desirable to have the sheet normally locked to the sheet-holder. so that accidental removal therefrom shall be impossible, while on the other hand, it is highly important that when removal becomes necessary or desirable, it can be accomplished with ease and dispatch. To these ends, I have provided the sheet and sheet-holder with normally interlocking means having suitable provision for locking and unlocking them by relative movement lengthwise of the sheet-holder, such means having provision for utilizing the resilience of the sheet in such manner that the latter is flexed into and out of locking relationship with the sheet-holder.

The sheet may be provided with one or more, herein a plurality of marginal perforations 14 normally receiving appropriate locking projections 15 carried by the sheetholder. Preferably, the latter is provided with corresponding depressions 16, into which the tongues extend. These tongues and depressions may be formed in a variety ways, and otherwise suitably disposed, but one convenient way 0'1 forming them is to provide the slot 12 with portions oil' set troin the normal plane of the sheet and slot, as will be evident from an examination of Figs. 5, 6 and 7. When the sheet-holder is tubular, as in the present embodiment, the projections 15 and the depression 16 are formed on oppositely facing edge portions of the wall of the tube, and entirely within the circumferential limits of the latter, as will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 1.

The arrangement of the projections and depressions is such that, by simply moving move laterally as it passes the projections,

but when one ofthe latter registers with, one of the perforations, the laterally bent portion of the sheet springs-back toiits nor-V mal plane, and the projection is thus caused to enter the perforation. Nhen the parts are in this relative position, they are p0sitively interlocked against movement in a direction transversely of the sheet-holder, but may be moved lengthwise of the latter by the application of sufficient force to cause the sheet again to spring laterally, and thus to compel the projection to ride out of the perforation. To these ends, the projection is suitably formed, as by beveling or round-. the same, as exemplified in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, and preferably the extent of the depression l6 lengthwise of the slot is such that the lateral bend, of the sheet is not too abrupt. The best results are obtained. by providing a depression which is several times longer than the projection when measured lengthwise of the slot.

The sheet and sheet-holder are assembled. by introducing one corner of the pe orated margin of the sheet into the slot, and then relatively moving the sheet and sheet-holder lengthwise of the latter, and'with the edl 'e of the sheet firmly against that-portion or the internal surface of the tube which is directly opposite the slot, as will be evident from an. examination of Fig.

lteferringnow to Fig, 5, the advancing edge of the sheet encounters the projection 15, whereupon continued movement results in the margin of the sheet-being lateraly displaced in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6; This local bending of the sheet will continue during the progress of the sliding movement, until one of the projections registers with one of'the perforations, whereupon the natural resilience of the sheet will result in the margin of the latter resuming itsoriginal flat form and thus causing the projection to enter the perforation, as shown in Fig. 7. If this happens to be the particular relationship which is desired, the sheet and sheet-holders are leftin this position, but if, as is often the case, the sheet is provided withtwo or more; perforations, and the sheet-holder with two or more corresponding projections, the user will continue to slide the sheet and sheet-holder one on the other, until the projection first encountered by the sheet rides out of the first perfo tion and into a secondone, while at the same time another projection enters another pert foration.

In many cases, the sheet willbe provided with but two perforations, and'the sheet and Sheet-holder will ordinarily have but one relative position when completely assembled.

However, the construction is such that it has special utility for use in many situations which call for two or more different positions. of the sheet and sheet-holder when a sembled: in the mounting or frame. l have reference to circumstances which may make it desirable to offset one or more of the sheets, thereby to distinguish them temporarily from the others, or in other words, to constitute a signal. This is well illustrated. in Fig. 1, in which I have shown several of the sheets offset from. the others, by shifting them longitudinally of their respective sheetholders. It is obvious that, in order that this may be done, the mounting. 9 should have suitable provision, such as by having its flanges 1'1- spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the width of the sheets. lVhile it is not absolutely essential that the sheets shall be locked to the sheetholders when thus offset, it is obviously desirable in order to prevent accidental rangement. I have, therefore, made provision for causing the sheets and sheet-holders to interlock with each other in two different positions, one of which is illustrated infull lines in Fig. 3, and the other in dotted lines. This requires simply the addition of another pair of perforations, there being four instead. of two in the case of a sheetholder having two projections. It is obvious that any degree of offset, and. any number of offset positions may be secured by providing the sheet with an appropriate number of suitably spaced perforations. This should be readily apparent without further explanation or illustration.

This means for offsetting cards or sheets and locking them in each of their offset positions is one of great utility, it may be made use of for a wide variety of purposes in various lines of business when running through an index or file, since each sheet which it is desired to reserve for future attention may be distinguished from the others either temporarily or permently by laterally offsetting the same in one direction or the other. The advantage of this should be readily apparent, especially in the case of accounting operations, where posting, checle ing, and recapitulating are done. This of speoialad'vantage inconnection with an indeii orfile of the overlapping type, be cause'all of'the offset sheets are visible at one time, and withoutthe necessity of. handling them; While, in the present example, l have shown the identification bearingjmar- ,Qfins marked with a common form of name index, thesheets may be used for a great variety of purposes,

Having thus described; one embod ment ofmy invention, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

1. lira device of the character described. the combination of a sheet having a perfoii t) llf,

rated margin, and a sheet-holder provided with a longitudinal slot in which the perforated margin of said sheet is received, said sheet-holder having means extending into the perforation or perforations of said margin and normally retaining said sheet in place.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet and sheet-holder having cooperating normally interlocking means having 'JI'OVlSlOIl for locking and tin locking by relative moven'ient lengthwise of said sheet-holder.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet and sheet-holder having cooperating normally interlocking means having provision for utilizing the re silience of one for locking. them together after interengagement by relative i'novement of said sheet and sheet-holder.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet provided with one or more perforations, and a sheet-holder provided. with one or more corresponding devices normally located in said perforation or perforations, and provided with means for utilizing the flexibility of said sheet to cause said device or devices to enter and allow it to withdraw from said perforation or perforations.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet having a margin provided with a perforation, and a sheetholder provided with a sheet-receiving slot, and means offset from the plane of said slot and sheet and normally disposed in said iierforation.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet having a margin provided with a perforation, and a sheetholder provided with a sheet-receiving slot having a portion offset from the normal plane of said sheet and forming a depression. and a projection extending through said perforation into said depression.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet, and a sheet holder provided with a sheet-receiving slot and. having cooperating interjacent parts normally retaining said sheet in said slot.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet, and a sheetholder provided with a sheet-receiving slot, an opening and a projection extending into said opening and holding said sheet in place in said slot.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet having a n'iargin provided with a perforation, and a tubular sheet-holder provided with a sheet-receiving slot having a portion offset from the normal plane of said slot and sheet and forming a depression and a projection extending through said perforation into said depression.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet having a margin provided with a plurality of perforations, and a tubular sheet-holder provided with a sheet-receiving slot having a portion offset from the normal plane of said slot and sheet, and forming a depression and a projection extending through said perforation into said depression, said. sheet and sheetholder being mounted to slide longitudinally one relatively to the other to shift said projection from one of said perforations to another. I

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a sheet having a margin provided with a perforation, and a tubular sheet-holder provided with a sheet-receiving slot having a portion offset from the normal plane of said. slot and sheet and forming a depression and a beveled projection extending through said perforation into said depression, said sheet and sheet-holder being mounted to slide longitudinally one relatively to the other, to cause said beveled projection to bend said sheet and'to become displaced from said perforation.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets having overlapping margins, a plurality of sheet-holders on which said sheets are mounted to shift. longitudinally, and a mounting for said sheet-holders, said parts. having provision to permit one or more of said sheets to be offset with relation to the remainder by shifting such sheet or sheets longitudinally of their respective sheetholders within the limits of said mounting.

1.3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets having overlapping margins, a plurality of sheetholders on which said sheets are mounted to shift longitudinally, said sheets and sheetholders having cooperating means to hold them in any one of a plurality of definite relative positions lengthwise of said sheetholders. and a mounting for said sheet-holders, said mounting having provision to permit one or more of said sheets to be offset with relation to the remainder by shifting such sheet or sheets longitudinally of their respective sheet-holders.

14:. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets having overlapping margins, a plurality of sheetholders on which said sheets are mounted to shift longitudinally, said. sheets and sheetholders having cooperating means to hold them in any one of a plurality of definite relative positions lengthwise of said sheetholders, said means having provision to per- Init said sheets to be shifted from one of said positions to another by simply sliding said sheets lengthwise of said sheet-holders, and a mounting for said sheet-holders, said mounting having sheet-holder supports spaced apart a distance" substantially" greater than the width of said sheetsto permit one or'm'ore' oi said'sheets to be offset with relation" to the remainder by'shifting' such sheet or sheets longitudinally of their respective sheet-holders.

lo. In a device of the classde'scribed, the combination 7 of a pliirality of sheets, a mounting having provision to permit one or more'of said. sheets to be oili'set With relation to the remainder by shifting sue sheet or r-shcetsin'their respective planes, and means to lock such sheet or sheets so offset.

16. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a plurality of sheets, a

mounting having; provision to permit one or more of said sheets to be offset with relation to the remainder by shifting such sheet or sheets in their respective planes, and means to hold the offset sheet or sheets against accidental displacement in all directions.

17. In adeviee of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets, mounting having provision'to permit one or more of saidsheetsto be offset with relation to the remainder by shifting such sheet or sheets in their respective planes, and means to hold'all of said sheets, whether in normal position or offset, against accidental displacement in all directions.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sheet and a sheet-holder having cooperating; means normally interlocked against movement perpendicular to or parallel with the adjacent edge of said sheet and having provision for locking and 1mlocking'by relative movement in a direction parallelto the plane ofsaid sheet.

19. Ina device of the character described,

t is combina-lcn'of a sheet novided or more perforations at acent one edge thereof, agslieebhoider having means normally reccived in' the perforation o'r' ner'to'rations oi" said sheet and nori'nally'loclring' said Sheet and sheet holder together along" one edge only of said sheet, said parts having provision for utilizing the resiliency of one of them for locking and iiinlockin'g them while said sheet is grasped" between the fingers, and a mounting whichrece'ives said sheet-holder and cooperates therewith to present a hinge about which said sheet may be swung while in the grasp of the lingers.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets having overlapping" margins, and sheet-supporting means with reference to which said sheets are mounted for movement lengthwise of said margins, thereby to permit one or more of said sheets to be ofiset with relation to the remainder, said sheet or sheets, when so offset, being within the lateral limits of said sheet-snpporting means.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sheets having overlapping margins, slieet-su iporting means with reference to which said sheets are mounted for movement lengthwise of said margins, thereby to permit oneor more of said sheets to be offset with relation to the remainder, said sheet or sheets, when so onsct, being; within the lateral limits of said sheet-supporting means, and means to retain said offset sheet or sheets so oi fset.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN T. QUIGLEY'. 

